The FunGkins: The Battle For Halladon

By C. Raymond Gray

[Library of Congress Control Number: 2014913878] With the evil Leprechauns (The Shangaar) hot on their trail, who would ever guess that the fate of the Littlest People would fall on the shoulders of a 10-year-old human girl named Clara Gooday? Her unwavering belief in the Littlest People may be the very thing that saves The FunGkins and all

• Language: English
• Publisher: A Zebra Press
• Release date: Oct 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9780692314890

Book preview

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Chapter 1

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The Beginning

Hello, good morning, and good evening! Please, if you will, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Quiet! I’m a sugar-plum fairy, but I’m unlike the ones who dance.

My job is to watch and record fairytales! So if you never knew the reason why stories like these are called fairytales—well, it’s quite simple, you see! It’s because they’re all told by fairies like me!

Therefore, if you’re ready for an adventure, this is one such story as I witnessed it some time long ago. Come fly with me as we journey back through time to a place long since forgotten where there lived these little people. They were the Littlest People on Earth.

Now though these people were small in stature, they had amazing gifts. They could control the soil of the Earth, command the rocks, and even command the mountains to move. They all had green thumbs. Now this, of course, made them excellent farmers. Their farming abilities were legendary throughout the land.

However, as it happens in life where there’s good, oftentimes there is evil. Now this is where the leprechauns come in.

You see, leprechauns loved silver and gold. They were also twice the size of these Littlest People. In fact, it could be said that leprechauns loved anything shiny, even mirrors.

But of all shiny things, they loved gold the most. Not for its value or its rich color, but only for the way it glimmered and shined in the light.

Like all greedy and evil people, the leprechauns were very lazy. The gold and silver they wanted had to be mined in their caves. But the leprechauns were well known for being just as lazy as they were mean. So you see, they were not about to do any mining or digging of their own, not to mention pushing heavy carts filled with silver and gold.

Now it just so happened that one of the leprechauns had been on a long journey. During the times of his travels, he had come upon a beautiful place. The leprechaun was in awe of all the beauty and splendor his eyes beheld.

What he saw was a lush green valley with trees so tall that they seemed to be reaching for the clouds. In this valley, there were long flowing rivers with the bluest water anyone had ever seen.

Great waterfalls were cascading over the cliffs down the mountainsides. The thundering sound of the water seemed to soothe the whole valley. These waterfalls could be heard for miles around.

The sound was so soothing that it has been said to even lull a baby to sleep. Naturally, this was a sound that only nature can make.

This valley was truly the most beautiful place the leprechaun or anyone had ever seen.

As he told the king all that he had seen, images of colorful rainbows and waterfalls ran through his mind. For a moment, remembering all that he had seen, it was as if he was back in the tree spying.

For days, he had watched from high in the tree tops as these Littlest People went about their daily chores.

The leprechaun was saying this, of course, to gain the king’s favor. He continued telling the king that these little people he saw had no army or weapons even.

This was the one thing the king liked hearing most of all. Because it meant these Littlest People would be easy to conquer.

Rubbing his hands together, the king began to have evil thoughts. Shifting his eyes, he smiled as the look of greed came upon his face. The king stood while clasping his hands behind his back. He began pacing in front of his golden throne.

It was at that moment he decided to make these little people slaves for his gold and silver mines.

The king ordered the leprechaun generals to gather his army. Once it was assembled, the king’s powerful army would march to enslave the Littlest People on Earth.

Even though these Littlest People were not warriors or soldiers, they did possess great powers.

But their powers could only be used for that which was good and not for anything evil. Nor could they use their powers in anger or for that which was for personal gain.

Of course, misuse of their powers was against the rules, but the one who broke this rule would lose their powers forever.

But now this rule was going to be put to the greatest test of all. The Littlest People will face the worst evil ever known, the leprechauns. With their powerful army of thousands, the leprechauns marched wherever, doing whatever they pleased.

So the leprechaun army marched over the mountains by the tens of thousands. After several months, their foot soldiers finally crossed over to the other side. Under a starry midnight sky, they stood looking down into the valley below.

It was a silent night when the leprechauns arrived in the peaceful valley. But that silence would soon be shattered once the leprechauns blew their ram horns.

Forming ranks front and rear, the leprechaun army went into battle groups. From the top of the hills, hundreds of horn blowers sounded their ram horns. Their trumpeting sound filled the mountain air like thunder in the night.

It was so loud that it woke every creature in the valley. Even the rabbits and squirrels were awakened from their slumber.

The Littlest People leapt from their beds and dashed out of their cottages. They all rushed to see what was the matter.

What they saw were thousands upon thousands of leprechauns holding torches.

The leprechauns had lined the top of the snow-covered hills as far as the eye could see.

In every village up and down the countryside, Littlest People and their children stood in the moonlight watching.

For they had no idea what was about to happen. Standing almost knee deep in snow, they were talking and mumbling to one another.

All together the leprechaun soldiers began bashing their swords against shields and rattling their armor. Their sound was so loud that it soon became deafening. For the second time, the horn blowers blew their ram horns. This time their sound was even louder. All at once, thousands of torches began moving down the hills toward the villages.

This was evil coming at its worst.

With their torches held high, the leprechaun soldiers were charging downhill. The torches looked more like a raging forest fire out of control. As loud as they could, the leprechauns let out their blood-curdling battle cry. The Littlest People were in total shock. Nothing like this had ever happened to them before.

They had always lived such peaceful lives. In fact, the Littlest People didn’t even know the meaning of an invasion. But now they were about to learn the terrifying lesson of what it means to be under attack.

The leprechauns began knocking them to the ground while cracking heavy whips.

Terrified, the Littlest People realized they were in danger. Running for their lives, they started scattering here and there. The forest was soon filled with heavy breathing and panic as Littlest People up and down the countryside scurried in all directions.

They were trying to escape under the cover of darkness, but the light of a full moon lit up the night as if it were day. So there was just no place to hide.

The evil leprechauns were so cruel that they even found pleasure in chasing the little people around. Part of their army gave chase through the forest while the rest set fire to the villages. In a matter of minutes whole villages were burning in the night.

Bright red and yellow flames flared along the countryside for miles. Thick black smoke now filled an otherwise starry sky. Sad to say, but peace in the valley of the Littlest People had come to an end.

The leprechauns were merciless as their army forced its will upon the Littlest People without contest. Now imagine being chased by creatures rotating their eyes to sockets in the back of their heads.

The Littlest People had never seen or heard of anyone who could do a thing like that. And I tell you, there was not one leprechaun who missed a chance to rotate their eyes to and from the back of their very large heads.

Believe it or not, these leprechauns also had claws as sharp and powerful as any tiger.

Many of the Littlest People saw this and became so terrified that they froze stiff in fear.

By now the Littlest People knew monsters were attacking them. And I can assure you, if you were to see these leprechauns, you would not argue that fact. Just ask anyone who has ever crossed paths with these vile, mean, and evil creatures.

It took several days, but the leprechauns wouldn’t give up. They finally rounded up all these little people right down to the last child. Now that the leprechauns had captured the little people, they proceeded to bind them. Littlest People were tied up using thick ropes, vines, and whatever else the leprechauns could find.

The leprechauns had been told that these Littlest People were very good workers. So right away they took full advantage of the littlest people’s working abilities.

Day and night, they were forced to chop down huge trees and gather dry wood. Others were made to mine iron ore. Afterwards, piles of timber and mounds of iron ore lined the countryside. This once peaceful valley had been turned into a massive slave camp. Under the leprechaun’s cruelty, thousands of fires were built from felled trees. The Littlest People toiled around the clock using red-hot coals from huge fires to melt ore and smelt iron.

From iron, thousands of shackles and chains were forged. Day and night, so many hammers were pinging that the sound was deafening.

Believe it or not, the Littlest People were forced to hammer out the very irons that would keep them in bondage. Many of them would wear these shackles and chains for the rest of their lives.

I ask you, can there be anything eviler than that? The leprechauns’ cruelty knew no mercy. In fact, their cruelty was legendary.

They only thought of the silver and gold these terrified Littlest People would later mine. After weeks of slaving, even their children were locked in shackles and chains.

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Chapter 2

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The Trail of Tears

The next morning, the sun rose above the horizon pushing back the darkness of night. Whips crackled as the sound of rattling chains filled the air. The time had come for the leprechauns to march their little captives over the mountains. Now the sadness and woe of slavery had fallen upon these Littlest People.

As they looked down into the valley, they saw the remains of what happened weeks before. At that moment, they were even more saddened. From one end of the valley to the next, it was plain to see the evil deed that had been done. Not even one cottage was left standing.

Every village, in what some say was the most peaceful place on Earth, had been burnt to the ground. All that was left was smoke from the ashes of fires used to smelt and forge iron.

Smoke filled the valley below as if covered with thick, white clouds. The smoke was slowly rising from the valley floor like the mist from a dragon’s breath.

As they marched on, whips were snapping and crackling as if lightning was flashing. Their sounds echoed filling the mountain air.

The leprechauns marched their captives across the mountain range by the thousands.

It being winter, the weather was very harsh, and this was no place for anyone, especially children.

The wind howled and moaned as if it too could feel the Littlest People’s pain and suffering.

These Littlest People cried and wept so much that the ground upon which they walked would be forever known as the trail of tears.

Many of them became sick from being beaten and barely given anything to eat. Even so, the Littlest People were forced to march through miles and miles of snow, ice, and freezing rain.

The Littlest People would bear scars made by the shackles and chains for the rest of their lives.

After what seemed like forever, their journey had come to an end. The leprechaun soldiers had finally reached their land. A place known as Leprecaria (Lep-re-care-e-ah), the leprechaun’s stronghold.

Without mercy, the soldiers were ordered to separate their captives into working groups.

After such a long journey, they were not even allowed a day’s rest.

By the thousands, the Littlest People were forced up the mountainside while pushing wooden carts loaded with pick axes, hammers, and other digging tools.

The Littlest People were now slaves for the leprechaun king’s gold and silver mines.

Have you ever stopped to wonder just how leprechauns got all that gold? You know, the gold they keep at the end of all those rainbows. Well, they got it by making the Littlest People dig for it.

The leprechauns worked their captive’s day and night. At times, barely giving them food and water or even letting them stop to rest.

By this time, the Littlest People had been in slavery over a hundred years. Now they had mastered the land given them to work and farm.

After years of pain and suffering, the one thing that never changed was their brotherhood.

If they were ever to be free, it was understood that they had to stick together. No matter how hard things got, they never gave up the hope of one day gaining their freedom.

They developed farmlands just as they had done in the valley they once called home.

Being such excellent farmers, they grew rich crops. Their orchards had some of the biggest and best tasting fruit you ever did eat.

While their vegetables and melons were as large as a small child.

The crops they harvested were always more than enough to feed everyone. It was during this time that the Littlest People seemed to be at their best.

The air would be filled with smells of cherry blossoms, apples, pears, and ripe, juicy melons as trees bloomed everywhere.

Still, everyday sadness and gloom loomed over these Littlest People as the leprechauns came taking most of what they grew. Even making them haul thousands of woven baskets filled to the brim.

They barely left enough for the Littlest People to even survive on. The thing is, most of what the leprechauns took went to waste.

Now as if that weren’t enough, the leprechauns would show up day and night cracking whips. All the while rotating their eyes to the back of their heads to strike fear in the Littlest People.

Filled with fear, the Littlest People were marched up the mountainside by the thousands to slave in the gold and silver mines.

The everyday life of the Littlest People was filled with sadness and woe. But as we all know, nothing lasts forever, not even slavery. It was their hope that their sorrow would someday come to an end.

One day while they were mining down in the dimly lit caves, they broke through to an underground river. Water started slowly seeping then gushing out of the cracks like a geyser. Swells of water were quickly filling the caves.

Thousands of the Littlest People would have surely drowned or been crushed to death.

However, in an instant, several of the Littlest People gathered and held hands.

Standing together, they shouted a magic word, Raduquitar (Ra-doo-quit-tar)! This was one of their many magic words. And this word could move mountains.

When they shouted this magic word, the loud rumbling and falling rocks came to a stop. Then like magic, the caves became so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop.

The rocks and boulders were falling in slow motion. Like magic, as if they had come to life, they began floating into place.

One by one, the rocks and boulders began stacking themselves.

That’s when the Littlest People shouted, Falurfladuk (Fa-lure-fla-dook)!

This was the magic word that controls water and anything liquid.

You should have seen it! The water paused like a soldier standing at attention. While the water paused in space, I tell you, not even one drop fell from its place.

Then several of them pointed their fingers toward the far end of the cave and shouted, Renrahtar (Ren-ra-taar)! On command, a side of the cave exploded as it was told to do.

Magically, the wall shattered as if it was made of glass. In an instant, the sun’s rays filled the cave with daylight. Gold nuggets sticking out of the cave walls glittered and sparkled like diamonds.

The explosion was so loud that it was as if a volcano had erupted. The Littlest People covered their pointed ears to muffle the sound. Echoing across the mountain range, the sound slowly faded away.

Pointing their fingers at the water that still stood at attention, again they shouted, Falurfladuk! Water began flowing out of the gaping hole made by the explosion.

Hundreds of leprechauns ran to see what had made such a loud noise. However, by the time they got there, it was all over. All they saw was the rushing rapids of a river spouting out the side of the mountain. For a moment, they stood, staring at the Littlest People.

This waterfall is the only one of its kind, and it can still be seen right up to this very day.

The Littlest People were always careful never to let the leprechauns see them use magic.

They were even more careful not to let the leprechauns hear their magic words.

Because magic words could do more harm than good if spoken by the wrong person.

Meanwhile, the guards thought water had caused the mountain to explode. They had no idea the Littlest People possessed such powerful magic. They began cracking their whips, rotating their eyes to the back of their heads while ordering the Littlest People back to work.

For another three hundred years, the Littlest People would suffer the hardships of slavery.

Even so, they have always managed to keep their magic a secret.

It was an everyday challenge for them to keep from using magic to escape or even fight the leprechauns.

They believed it was important that they not use their magic for violence or personal gain. If they did, the Littlest People were sure to lose their powers forever. And losing their powers was never an option.

It was their belief that their magic would one day help every living thing on Earth. They had no idea just how right they were. By now they had been in bondage for hundreds of years.

One day while the littlest people were slaving away, out of the blue, a wonderful thing happened. A magical, mythical creature appeared. It was a Fairy Spirit Warrior known as Ahkerah (Ah-kear-ra).

While flying nearby, she was drawn there by all the sorrow. You see, Fairy Spirit Warriors are sworn to always fight evil and champion anyone good.

Ahkerah was riding a creature unlike any you have ever seen. It was a snow-white stallion with huge bulging muscles that glistened and shined as the rays of the sun bounced off of them. It had bold black stripes and the largest wings you ever did see.

It even had a large rhinoceros horn sticking out of its forehead. Now at a glance, you would think this might be a unicorn.

But oh no, let me assure you! This I tell you was no unicorn, no unicorn indeed!

However, this creature is so closely related to unicorns that it has been mistaken for a unicorn many times.

But dare I say again, this was no unicorn. This was one of the many legendary Zebrakhans (Ze-bra-cons). Its name was Shakhan (Sha-con), one of the most powerful ones!

Zebrakhans are large war horses that can only be ridden by spirit warriors, and even a Fairy Spirit Warrior must earn their right to ride their Zebrakhan.

Meanwhile, Shakhan looked magnificent as he reared back on his hind legs at the cave’s entrance. With Ahkerah on his back, he began kicking his front legs as if punching the air. No matter where they may be, Zebrakhans and spirit warriors are always prepared for battle.

Their armor consists of a gold engraved breastplate, a helmet, and matching forearm guards.

Around their waists they wear a short, pleated skirt and a gold engraved belt that matches their armor. Their weapon of choice is a crystal sword that flashes like lightning when striking their enemy. Even the lightning from their swords can be used as a weapon. They also carry a large golden shield which has a razor-sharp edge that also serves as a weapon.

Likewise, Zebrakhans wear the same type of neck and headdress for armor as their rider.

Strapped in front of them is a gold breastplate with braces that protect them in battle. The braces cover their legs right down to their hooves. When they want it to, a spirit warrior and their Zebrakhan’s armor can magically appear on them out of thin air.

Meanwhile, the leprechauns had spotted them and were rushing up the side of the mountain path. With their weapons drawn, the guards were ready to do battle.

Ahkerah sprang from the saddle to her feet, balancing on Shakhan’s back with ease. She drew her sword while raising her shield. Ahkerah leaped more than twenty feet in mid-air while doing a backward flip. Landing on the ground with cat-like reflexes, Ahkerah braced herself and was ready for action.

The guards rushed toward the two of them screaming their battle cry. Spreading out his powerful wings while spinning like a whirlwind, Shakhan caught them totally by surprise. Several guards were knocked off the mountain. Their screams echoed all the way down as they fell.

Lightning flashed as Ahkerah wielded her crystal blade like a master swordsman. Even twenty leprechaun soldiers were no match for a Fairy Spirit Warrior and her Zebrakhan.

The leprechauns’ guards had been dealt with. Now many more were coming, too many.

Ahkerah jumped into the air gracefully landing in Shakhan’s saddle. With her feet in the stirrups, Ahkerah waved her magic wand, and they became invisible but only to the leprechauns.

With Ahkerah on his back, Shakhan flapped his mighty wings making a loud swooshing sound. As he went into a gallop, the pounding of his hooves thundered and echoed against the mountain range.

Spreading his wings, Shakhan took flight. He flew through the caves gliding so gracefully that it would have made any swan proud.

Shakhan flew in slow motion as Ahkerah spread mushroom spores everywhere. The spores drifted through the air glistening and sparkling like stardust.

All the while Ahkerah was shouting, Eat, my little friends, eat! But only the Littlest People could hear her.

As Shakhan flew, the Littlest People looked on in amazement. They had heard about spirit warriors. But until now, many of them thought it to be just an old wives’ tale.

Ahkerah went on shouting as they flew. She waved her magic wand filling the air with sparkling fairy dust. The dust drifted down onto the mushroom spores.

I will see you all soon! she shouted.

Again, Shakhan flew to the opening of the cave. He stood on his hind legs while kicking and punching the air with his front legs. By now an army of leprechauns had gathered at the cave’s entrance.

Ahkerah leaned forward patting Shakhan on the side of his neck and whispered, Our work here is done, my friend.

She held on tight as Shakhan reared back while flapping his powerful wings. The leprechauns tried stopping them, but they were far too late.

They shouted

Reviews for The FunGkins

[skstiles612 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a very visual read. What do I mean by this? The descriptions of the fairies, leprechauns and other characters, along with the settings are so well described you can see them in you mind. It is like reading and watching a movie at the same time. Because Clara has always believed in the little people she is the one that fate has decided must save them. The plot moves at a quick pace so it will keep those reluctant readers turning pages. I felt this was better suited for upper elementary to lower middle grades.I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.